News | Low-FODMAP Diet Relieves Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Women With Endometriosis
The Low FODMAP Diet (LFD), developed by Monash University researchers to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), has also shown significant benefits for gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with endometriosis. A recent study found clinically significant improvement in 60% of women with endometriosis on a low-FODMAP diet, compared with 26% in the control group.
The findings were published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The low-FODMAP diet not only reduced abdominal pain and bloating but also normalized bowel movements. Overall, it reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms by 40% compared with a control diet based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Improved gastrointestinal symptoms enhance quality of life
Dr. Jane Varney, a senior research dietitian in Monash University’s Department of Translational Medicine, said this was the first study to show that a low-FODMAP diet can significantly relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with endometriosis. More than 75% of women with endometriosis experience IBS-like symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
Although many women with endometriosis change their diet to relieve these symptoms, evidence has remained limited. In this study, 60% reported clinically significant improvement on the low-FODMAP diet. “Abdominal pain and bloating decreased, stool form normalized, and overall quality of life improved,” Dr. Varney added.
Low-FODMAP diet offers a new option for an unmet treatment need
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition that often causes severe abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, and potential fertility problems. Although gastrointestinal symptoms are common, current clinical treatments do not specifically address them, and some treatments may even worsen them.
The Monash University study noted that few treatments target these common symptoms, which are often overlooked even in endometriosis treatment guidelines. Associate Professor Rebecca Burgell, director of the Functional Gut Service at Alfred Health and one of the study’s lead authors, emphasized: “Most current endometriosis guidelines do not address gastrointestinal symptoms or offer guidance on recognizing or managing them.”
Study design and implementation
The study enrolled 35 women over age 18 who had endometriosis and typical gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Participants followed their usual diet for 7 days, then were randomly assigned to a low-FODMAP or control diet based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating for 28 days. The diets had similar macronutrients, micronutrients, and dietary fiber, differing only in FODMAP content. After the intervention, participants resumed their usual diet for 28 days and then switched to the other diet.
The low-FODMAP diet significantly reduced abdominal pain and bloating, improved bowel movements, and enhanced quality of life. The finding offers a potential dietary treatment for women whose gastrointestinal symptoms have not been effectively managed.
Outlook: dietary intervention as a new approach to endometriosis
Since Monash University introduced the low-FODMAP diet in the mid-2000s, it has transformed IBS treatment. Monash nutritionists, scientists, and gastroenterologists developed the diet, released a low-FODMAP app in 2012, and published related cookbooks in 2023. The diet now offers an evidence-based treatment not only for IBS, but potentially for endometriosis as well.
About the low-FODMAP diet
The low-FODMAP diet was developed by Monash University researchers to reduce foods containing fermentable carbohydrates and ease gastrointestinal symptoms. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These carbohydrates are not fully digested or absorbed in the gut. They draw water into the small intestine and ferment in the large intestine, producing gas and distending the intestinal wall. Research shows that reducing FODMAP intake can significantly relieve symptoms of IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders.
About endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition affecting about 1 in 7 women. It occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterine cavity. Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, pain during sex, and infertility.
News | Low-FODMAP Diet Relieves Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Women With Endometriosis
News | Low-FODMAP Diet Relieves Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Women With Endometriosis
The Low FODMAP Diet (LFD), developed by Monash University researchers to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), has also shown significant benefits for gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with endometriosis. A recent study found clinically significant improvement in 60% of women with endometriosis on a low-FODMAP diet, compared with 26% in the control group.
The findings were published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The low-FODMAP diet not only reduced abdominal pain and bloating but also normalized bowel movements. Overall, it reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms by 40% compared with a control diet based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Improved gastrointestinal symptoms enhance quality of life
Dr. Jane Varney, a senior research dietitian in Monash University’s Department of Translational Medicine, said this was the first study to show that a low-FODMAP diet can significantly relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with endometriosis. More than 75% of women with endometriosis experience IBS-like symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
Although many women with endometriosis change their diet to relieve these symptoms, evidence has remained limited. In this study, 60% reported clinically significant improvement on the low-FODMAP diet. “Abdominal pain and bloating decreased, stool form normalized, and overall quality of life improved,” Dr. Varney added.
Low-FODMAP diet offers a new option for an unmet treatment need
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition that often causes severe abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, and potential fertility problems. Although gastrointestinal symptoms are common, current clinical treatments do not specifically address them, and some treatments may even worsen them.
The Monash University study noted that few treatments target these common symptoms, which are often overlooked even in endometriosis treatment guidelines. Associate Professor Rebecca Burgell, director of the Functional Gut Service at Alfred Health and one of the study’s lead authors, emphasized: “Most current endometriosis guidelines do not address gastrointestinal symptoms or offer guidance on recognizing or managing them.”
Study design and implementation
The study enrolled 35 women over age 18 who had endometriosis and typical gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Participants followed their usual diet for 7 days, then were randomly assigned to a low-FODMAP or control diet based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating for 28 days. The diets had similar macronutrients, micronutrients, and dietary fiber, differing only in FODMAP content. After the intervention, participants resumed their usual diet for 28 days and then switched to the other diet.
The low-FODMAP diet significantly reduced abdominal pain and bloating, improved bowel movements, and enhanced quality of life. The finding offers a potential dietary treatment for women whose gastrointestinal symptoms have not been effectively managed.
Outlook: dietary intervention as a new approach to endometriosis
Since Monash University introduced the low-FODMAP diet in the mid-2000s, it has transformed IBS treatment. Monash nutritionists, scientists, and gastroenterologists developed the diet, released a low-FODMAP app in 2012, and published related cookbooks in 2023. The diet now offers an evidence-based treatment not only for IBS, but potentially for endometriosis as well.
About the low-FODMAP diet
The low-FODMAP diet was developed by Monash University researchers to reduce foods containing fermentable carbohydrates and ease gastrointestinal symptoms. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These carbohydrates are not fully digested or absorbed in the gut. They draw water into the small intestine and ferment in the large intestine, producing gas and distending the intestinal wall. Research shows that reducing FODMAP intake can significantly relieve symptoms of IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders.
About endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition affecting about 1 in 7 women. It occurs when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterine cavity. Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, pain during sex, and infertility.
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